Press Release

New Cooperative Partnership between U.S. and Mauritania

Ambassador Joseph LeBaron, Commissioner of Food Security Abdellahi O. Ahmed Damou, and Yahya Ould Hademine, Director General for ATTM, representing the state-owned mining company SNIM, today inaugurated a new partnership intended to benefit communities along the Nouadhibou – Zouerate corridor.  The ceremony took place at the offices of the Food Security Commission.

The partnership will directly assist rural and urban communities in the targeted economic zone by alleviating poverty and improving lives. Working in cooperation, the US Embassy, the Food Security Commission and SNIM will plan and develop a diverse range of projects to improve water supplies and food security, the construction of schools, health clinics, and dune control measures as well as income-generating activities.  All projects must have a public benefit and only Mauritanian contractors and labor will be used in the construction projects.  The total amount being invested in the partnership is over 115,000,000 UM ($422,000).

Funds for the partnership will come from the Title I program “Food for Progress,” and the Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP).  “Food for Progress” is funded by the US Department of Agriculture and is co-managed by the Embassy and the Food Security Commission.  HAP is funded by the US Department of Defense as part of its humanitarian aid programs around the world and is managed by the Embassy.

To date, HAP has facilitated numerous humanitarian assistance projects throughout Mauritania to include new schools, medical clinics, water projects, and a fire station.  The “Food for Progress” program was initiated in April, 2006.

Nouakchott, July 27 2006